A VAT invoice in France — a facture de TVA — does two jobs at once: it requests payment from your client and it satisfies the tax authorities that the sale was correctly taxed. For freelancers and contractors billing French clients, this document is what keeps cash flowing and keeps you compliant with the direction générale des finances publiques. Get the details right and the invoice is enforceable; miss a mandatory field and it can be rejected for TVA purposes.
What to include
Every valid French VAT invoice must show a handful of mandatory items. You need your SIRET number, your TVA intracommunautaire, the client's VAT number for B2B sales, a numéro de facture (invoice number), and the TVA mentioned per line. Leave any of these out and the document is harder to enforce — and, where tax is concerned, it can be invalid for TVA.
How the VAT calculation works
French invoices need your SIRET and TVA intracommunautaire, the customer's VAT number on EU B2B invoices, and the VAT per line. The standard rate is 20% (the rate this template applies), with reduced rates of 10% and 5.5% for specific goods and services. Before you finalise the total, check whether the reverse-charge or zero-rating rule applies when billing a business customer abroad — it changes how much TVA you show.
Example line items
Invoice
France VAT invoice
- Invoice no.
- INV-2026-014
- Date
- 2026-07-15
From
Your Company
123 Business Rd, Your City
VAT No.: FR12345678901
To
Client Name
Client Company, Client City
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing campaign | 1 | €2,200.00 | €2,200.00 |
| Copywriting – 10h | 10 | €70.00 | €700.00 |
- Subtotal
- €2,900.00
- VAT (20%)
- €580.00
- Total
- €3,480.00
Notes
Payment within 30 days. Late penalty applies.
Example preview — not a real invoice
A typical VAT invoice lists concrete work like this:
- Marketing campaign — 1 × €2,200
- Copywriting, 10 hours — 10 × €70
Always show the quantity, unit price, and the tax amount per line so the grand total is transparent and easy for your client to verify.
Practical tips
A few habits keep freelancers out of trouble. If you qualify for the micro-exempt regime, state “TVA non applicable – art. 293 B” on the invoice. Keep every invoice for 10 years under French retention rules. Always indicate the payment deadline to avoid late fees. Consistent numbering, clear payment terms, and prompt delivery all reduce late payments and build trust.
Done well, a French VAT invoice is straightforward paperwork that keeps your business legitimate and paid. Cover the fields above each time and you can invoice with confidence. The invoice generator pre-fills these details so the maths look after themselves.